> Actually I'm not sure you can blame Microsoft for
 > that.  I get the feeling this behaviour predates DOS
 > (think CP/M).

    I'm not at all sure this is entirely on topic, because C itself is
oblivious to the operating environment.

    CP/M had a default of .com for executable files, but .exe can
definitely be blamed on Microsoft. DR also had such things as .ovr or .ovl,
and was entirely unfussed about extensions if you chose to load your own
binaries and pass control to them (as is unix). Batch files sometime had
.cmd extensions and so forth.

    Remember that CP/M was an 8-bit microchip OS, whereas unix was a mini/
mainframe OS. Unix therefore had better discipline.

    DOS OTOH had only one virtue. It was in the right place at the right
time for commercial success. It was fast only in comparison with Windows -
the other Microsoft abomination. OS/2 was cleaner and faster, and it's a
pity it died.

    C itself does not care about the operating system. There are versions
for every platform and environment, and its main virtue as a programming
language is its uniformity or portability - the same C code ought to run on
all machines

Best Wishes,
Bill.
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